Abstract: The intelligent storage manager includes a number of data bases which are used by the expert system software to manage the computer system data storage devices. One element provided in this apparatus is a set of data storage device configuration data that provides a description of the various data storage devices and their interconnection in the computer system. A second element is a knowledge data base that includes a set of functional rules that describe the data storage device management function. These rules indicate the operational characteristics of the various data storage devices and the steps that need to be taken to provide the various functions required to improve the performance of the computer system memory. In addition, various mathematical models are used to determine data relating to the operation of the data storage devices. These models not only assist in the identification of conflicts, but are also used to predict the effect of proposed conflict solutions.